Great Pyrenees are great dogs that love their owners, but some of us are hypoallergenic and can’t be around dogs that shed a lot. So, if you’re allergic to dander, you may ask when you’re researching about Pyrs, “Do Great Pyrenees shed a lot?”

Unfortunately, Great Pyrenees shed a ton, especially around the spring when they blow (shed a lot) their coat. Expect to find dog hair all over the couches, floors, and just about anything it touches and stays on for a long period of time. So, unfortunately, they are not for those who have allergies.

How To Reduce How Much Your Pyr Sheds

Nobody, including you, can stop your Great Pyrenees from shedding, but you can definitely help reduce how much your Great Pyrenees shed if you know what you’re doing.

The best way to reduce shedding is to groom your Pyr more. This way, the hair that would usually go all over your home, can be brushed out and discarded.

So, while Pyrs don’t need to be groomed a lot thanks to their tangle-free and dirt-resistant coat, grooming is still a necessity for this dog.

While some only like to groom their dog simply when a lot of people are going to see them, they should be groomed a lot more often.

Are Great Pyrenees Hypoallergenic?

Another question you may ask is “are Great Pyrenees hypoallergenic?” This is a great question and in this section I will be answering it.

So, first, I want to clarify what hypoallergenic means. Hypoallergenic means that what it is describing (of course, in this case, a dog) is not likely to cause allergies.

Saying that a lot of people have dander allergies which is found in dog hair and saying that Pyrs shed a ton, Great Pyrenees are unfortunately not hypoallergenic.

Should I Trim My Great Pyrenees’ Coat?

Many Pyr owners will shave their dog’s coat as they believe it would stop the shedding, though it raises some concerns.

The first one is that their coat can actually make them hotter during the summer and colder during the winter.

While it may seem odd, your Pyrs coat not only helps him keep warm in the winter, but it also keeps him keep cool during the spring and summer. Because of this, shaving your Pyrs coat can actually make him hotter.

Another concern that he won’t be as protected against insects like ticks and fleas and will likely get bitten.

Other concerns may be how he can get sun burned, that the hair may not even grow back for the winter months and won’t be able to handle the cold that much.

Basic Grooming Requirements For Pyrs

Now, we know that Great Pyrenees shed a lot, but we also learned that you can reduce the shedding some by grooming him more, but what are his basic grooming requirements.

Let’s find out.

Bathing Your Great Pyrenees

Being bathed is a necessity for just about every dog out in the planet, only some will need them less than others.

It is generally recommended that you bathe your Great Pyrenees about once a month. While I did say baths are a necessity for just about every dog, some dog breeds can go months without baths.

Trimming Your Pyrs Nails

Trimming your Pyrs nails is once again another necessity for 2 reasons. One, you don’t want him to scratch everyone he sees and two, his nails can actually grow into his paw pads if you’re not careful.

Yes, you heard me right. The nails will curl as they grow and if they are let grow too long, can actually grow into the paw. This of course is not comfortable for the dog whatsoever.

Because of this, it’s highly recommended that you trim your dog’s nails regularly or when you think their nails are getting too long.

Just remember there is a quick and if cut below it, can actually make the nail bleed and make your dog be afraid of you even handling his feet, so be cautious when you’re trimming your dog’s nails.

Brushing Your Pyr’s Teeth

While it may sound stupid, consider brushing your dog’s teeth as it can help keep your dog hygienic and healthy.

While dogs have hard teeth, their teeth cans till rot just like ours can. This is especially true when they’re older.

So, brush your Great Pyrenees’ teeth regularly. You can also supplement them with some dental chews as well.

Brushing Your Pyr’s Coat

While it is true that your Great Pyrenees’ coat is essentially tangle and dirt-free, a nice occasional won’t hurt.

In fact, many still say it’s vital that your Pyr’s coat is brushed at least occasionally. to avoid matts and tangles.

Getting The Right Tools For Grooming Your Pyr

While you don’t have to groom this dog very often, that doesn’t mean that their grooming doesn’t need to be proper.

So, be sure to educate yourself on the supplies you will need when you’re grooming your dog.

Here are some of the recommended tools when you’re grooming your Great Pyrenees:

• A rake (deep enough to penetrate the skin)
• Nail trimmer
• Dog-safe shampoo
• Cotton balls for wiping
• Matt splitter
• Large curved slicker brush
• Ear Cleansers

Finding Matts & Tangles In Your Pyrs Coat

Generally, the places where you’re probably going to find the most matts and tangles is around the neck and shoulders. This is even more true for males.

Note that your dog may be a bit nervous when he’s being groomed at first with all these new tools, but he should get used to it the more you groom him.

Tips On Trimming Your Pyr’s Nails

Before you even trim your Great Pyrenees’ nails, it’s important that you get your dog used to the clippers and you handling his feet.

So, start out slow and don’t rush things. First, just let him sniff and touch the clippers and reward him with treats and a lot of love for doing so.

Then, after a while, start touching him with the clippers and reward him if he’s calm.

Finally, after a while of slowly introducing him to the clippers, you should be able to eventually trim his nails.

Unfortunately, this article is a just a bit too long to fully cover in one article. So, I recommend checking out this article about trimming your dog’s nails from the AKC.

Tips & Tricks For Brushing Your Pyr’s Teeth

The key to making your dog feel okay about brushing his teeth is to start early and make it fun.

When you start early, you will able to manage him better when he’s just a puppy and he will be used to it in his older years.

Another tip to making them actually enjoy having their teeth brushed is to give them treats before or after you brush their teeth or just play games when their mouth is open.

Both of these tips and tricks should help make brushing your dogs teeth overall a nicer experience for both you and your dog.

Conclusion

So, do Great Pyrenees shed? Unfortunately, a lot, and because of this, these dogs shouldn’t be around people with dander allergies, so they aren’t hypoallergenic.

Do you have a Great Pyrenees? If so, does it shed a lot? Let us know in the comment section below!

Apartments are very common in this day and age, and many of us live in them, but are Great Pyrenees suitable for apartment life?

While it is generally debated about whether or not Great Pyrenees can be apartment dogs, the fact of the matter is, Great Pyrenees are just not suited for apartment life. Even though others say otherwise, Great Pyrenees tend to prefer the outdoors rather than the indoors. Why? Great Pyrenees are not only large and will feel cramped in an apartment, but they also weren’t bred to live in small compact spaces.

Why You Shouldn’t Keep A Great Pyrenees In An Apartment

While I mentioned one reason why you shouldn’t keep a Great Pyrenees in an apartment, that’s not the only reason why you shouldn’t.

In this section I will be discussing all three reasons why I believe Great Pyrenees shouldn’t be apartment dogs. Here are the three.

Great Pyrenees Are Too Big

As I just mentioned, one of my main reasons why I don’t think you should keep a Great Pyrenees in an apartment is that they are simply too large.

Even if we forget the other reasons, this alone should make you think twice about putting your Pyr in an apartment.

I know what you may be thinking, “Yeah, but how do you know that he doesn’t actually like being in an apartment?” The answer is I don’t, but I do know that Great Pyrenees owners say that theirs prefers the outdoors.

In fact, many of them said they have a hard time taking their Great Pyrenees indoors unless the weather isn’t fair.

Here are some of the answers I got when I asked if their let their Great Pyrenees sleep outside.

Unless it’s storming, getting them to come in at night is almost impossible!

Leigh Thomason Honnell

Mine prefers outside, even in the rain and snow. He has dry places to lay. He prefers to patrol the property.

Pam Hughes

Mine sleeps outside. They are guard dogs, not house dogs.

Leah Cooper Cox

Of course, I also had some that said theirs slept primarily inside, though there is no guarantee yours would prefer outdoors and even if it does, apartments are just too small, in mu opinion.

Great Pyrenees Tend To Bark Too Much

Another reason why I don’t believe they should be be in apartments is that they tend to bark a lot.

So, if you were to have a Pyr in an apartment, you could get some very angry neighbors. It’s just not considerate to let your dog bark all the time when there are a lot of people living in the area.

This, coupled with the last reason I will be talking about, can make some very irritated neighbors and may even get you evicted from your apartment if your Pyr is consistent.

They Mainly Stay Up At Night

The last reason why is that that they stay up mostly at night. While this fact alone isn’t a very good reason why you shouldn’t keep a Pyr in an apartment, this coupled with the fact that they bark a lot can disrupt a lot of your neighbors’ sleep schedules.

This can also disrupt your own sleeping schedule as well if he tends to bark a lot.

Understanding What Great Pyrenees Were Bred For

Now, let’s understand exactly what Great Pyrenees were bred for. Why is this important, you ask?

Understanding what Great Pyrenees were even bred for in the first place can help us determine whether or not you should keep a Great Pyrenees in an apartment.

So, what were they bred for? Great Pyrenees were bred to be herding and guard dogs. Thus, they had to be outside just about all of their adult-hood helping keep the flock safe by deterring predators and not in an apartment.

On the AKC’s website, for the Great Pyrenees profile, they said that they were “bred centuries ago to work with peasant shepherds and herding dogs in the Pyrenees Mountains.”

They also said that their job was to “watch the flock and deter predators, whether wolves, bears, or livestock rustlers.”

What Makes A Good Apartment Dog

So, we understand what Great Pyrenees were bred for and we know a few reasons why Pyrs don’t make good apartment dogs, but makes a good apartment dog?

Let’s find out!

Being Small In Size

The first thing that makes any dog apartment friendly is that they are small in size, thus being less likely to be cramped in an apartment.

Even if they are active, if they are small enough, you won’t have to walk them every hour as they can exercise more at home.

When they are small, they are also easier to manage when they get really excited and are less likely to knock a lot of things over

Hesitant To Bark A Lot At Strangers

A good apartment dog is hesitant to bark at people or cars as there are a lot of them near apartments.

As I mentioned earlier, a dog that barks a lot is not fit to be an apartment dog.

Most dogs bark a lot, however. This is likely one of the main reasons why so many apartments prohibit dogs all together.

Preferring Inside Rather Than Outside

Lastly, if you are going to keep a dog in an apartment, he should prefer the indoors rather than the outdoors.

There’s always a possibility that your apartment doesn’t have a backyard, and if it does, it’s probably not a very big one. Then, of course, if you don’t have the time to walk your dog multiple times a day, he’ll probably stay inside most of the time.

What Are The Best Apartment Dogs – A Few Alternatives

Before we end the article, you may be wanting a few possible alternatives to Great Pyrenees that would work out for apartment life. This is a logical question to ask and if you are asking this question, I suggest finish the rest of the article.

So, what are a few alternatives? Here are a list of some of the dogs that would be fit for apartment life.

• American Eskimo Dog
• American Hairless Terrier
• Basset Hound
• Border Terrier
• Bulldog
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
• French Bulldog

Conclusion

So, can Great Pyrenees be apartment dogs? I will let you make that decision, though, personally, I think that there are good reasons they aren’t.

Do you think Great Pyrenees are good apartment dogs? If so, let us know why in the comment section!

The fact of the matter is, a lot of us have jobs, and many of us simply can’t be with our dogs 24/7. So, you may be asking when you’re planning on going on vacation, “Can Great Pyrenees be left alone?”

Generally, you can leave your Great Pyrenees for about 6–8 hours every day, but this is not ideal and they deserve to be checked on regularly, so try to do so if at all possible. Just note that they should not be left alone for periods of time longer than 8 hours, and as I mentioned earlier, even that is not ideal.

Can I Have A Pyre Have A Full-Time Job?

I do believe you can pull it off, though, like I just mentioned, it’s not ideal for you to be gone from your dog for 8 hours a day.

Though, if you have to be away for that long, try to check on your dog as much as possible; during your lunch break or any other longer breaks you may have.

Of course, there are also work-at-home jobs which are much more ideal for your Great Pyrenees as you’ll be home much more often.

How Often Can Pyrs Be Left Alone?

I would leave your Pyr alone as little as possible, but I they can be left alone every day, but again, this is not ideal.

So, if possible, take your Great Pyrenees along with you when you’re going on long vacations or if you can’t, consider getting a dog sitter.

Can Great Pyrenees Sleep Outside?

The fact of the matter is, I don’t know the climate that you live in so it’s hard to say whether or not he can or not.

Note that even though the Great Pyrenees can handle the cold and heat, there are temperatures that are too low and too high for him.

Though, for nights when the temperature is just right and there aren’t any storms or anything else to worry about, you should be okay letting him sleep outside.

In fact, you may even have hard times keeping him inside if the nights are fair! When I asked on Facebook whether or not they let their Great Pyrenees in or outside during the night, they all said yes and some even said they had a hard time keeping them inside at night!

Here is what a few of them said;

Ours never comes in. He is with the sheep at all times.

Mekayla Garret

Unless it’s storming, getting them to come in at night is almost impossible!

Leigh Thomason Honnell

Mine prefers outside, even in the rain and snow. He has dry places to lay. He prefers to patrol the property.

Pam Hughes

Are Great Pyrenees Prone To Separation Anxiety?

Generally, no, but it really depends on the individual. You see, it depends on how they were raised and if they went through any dramatic separations.

Fortunately, I wrote another article on this separation anxiety and Great Pyrenees. If you’re interested, here’s the link.

Tips & Tricks When Leaving Your Pyr Alone

Now, we know that Great Pyrenees can be alone, but you still need to get your dog ready for being alone for a while.

So, what are some tips and tricks to make being alone a little more enjoyable? Let’s look at a few.

Take Your Pyr Outside

If you’re going to be gone for a while, but it won’t be overnight, consider taking your Great Pyrenees outside.

Taking your Pyr outside can give him a little more space to exercise himself and just won’t make him feel cramped up in a house all day.

The outside also offers new experiences for your dog while you’re gone. Though, there are also more distractions which make him try to run away.

If you’re wondering if Great Pyrenees are stubborn, I wrote another article on this subject and if you’re interested, here’s the link.

Anyway, definitely consider taking your Pyr outside if you’re going to leave him alone for 6-8 hours.

Get Someone To Keep Them For You

If you’re going to be gone for more than a few days, you may want to get a dog sitter who can care for your dog while you’re away.

While it may cost some money, I’m sure it’ll be worth it saying you don’t want your Pyr to be unattended for a very long time.

Just make sure that you can trust the person who will take care of him. There are dishonest people who can and will hurt dogs on purpose.

Give Them Plenty Of Distractions

While I mentioned earlier, the outside is full of new experiences that can entertain your dog while you’re away.

Though, if you aren’t taking your Great Pyrenees outside, at least get a few toys for him to distract himself.

A good companion can also help keep him from becoming too lonely while you’re away.

What To Do If You’re Keeping Your Pyr Inside

So, it’s possible that it’s storming or just too cold or hot for your Great Pyrenees, and you need to keep it inside. What do you do?

First off, you’re going to of get food and water of course. Make sure that you get more than you think your dog needs as it’s always possible you’ll be away from home as it’s always possible that you’ll be away from home a lot more than you think.

Secondly, consider getting a few toys for your Pyr. It can get very boring just laying down in a crate, especially if it’s for a long time.

Finally, if you’re going to leave your Pyr alone for a very long time in the house, consider buying a dog camera. These cameras are simply so you can watch your dog, though some may offer other features like the ability to talk to your dog through the camera or even a treat dispenser!

What To Do If You’re Keeping Your Pyr Outside

If you aren’t going to be gone for very long and you don’t want your Pyr to mess up your home (which is completely understandable) or you don’t want your dog to be too bored, you may want to take your Great Pyrenees outside. But what should you do?

Again, food and water is an obvious must for all dogs (and most life forms in general), so get plenty of it as you’re dog’s going to need it. Of course, your dog may need more water if its hot outside so keep that in mind.

Toys and chew bones can also help keep your dog busy and entertained while you’re away.

If you are planning on leaving overnight, however, you may want to let your dog in from time to time when he needs to.

Conclusion

So, can Great Pyrenees be alone? Well, it depends on the individual, though they do tend to do well being alone.

Do you have a Great Pyrenees? If so, does your Pyr behave well when you’re gone? Let us know in the comment section below!